TRAVEL TOGETHER
Make this trip work for your group
A harbour evening is paired with an Arima ryokan stay.
- Adjust the route
- With parents, shorten the Nunobiki downhill walk and simplify luggage transfers. If a lunch queue delays the Arima transfer day, shorten or skip the herb-garden visit to protect ryokan check-in and dinner. Leave room around the hotel move.
- Check your room
- The listed hotels are comparison options, not a guarantee of family suitability. Check occupancy for your actual group, children’s ages, bed layout, steps and lift access directly with the property.
An editorial match to this route, not an accessibility or age-suitability certification. Existing budgets use the group size stated in the article; recalculate for your party.
PORT TO ONSEN
a night in the city,
A night at a hot spring.
On the first day, we leave our luggage at Sannomiya and walk downhill from Nankinmachi to the port. On the second day, after overlooking the sea and city from Nunobiki, take a direct bus to Arima hot springs. The beauty of Kobe is that two different trips are within 30 minutes of each other. Instead of changing accommodations once, you don't miss out on the night view of the port or the hot spring ryokan.
Nunobiki is located just behind Shin-Kobe Station, 10 minutes by ropeway, with panoramic views of the port and city.
MAKE IT YOUR TRIP
Keep the moments you came for
Make time for this
Make the harbor evening and time in Arima the anchors. If you linger at Nunobiki, simplify lunch rather than arriving late at the ryokan.
Arrange the trip around it
Put the Kobe beef dinner on the city night and the ryokan meal on the Arima night. Skip a long kamameshi queue on departure day to protect the airport connection.
Planning notes reviewed on 10 September 2026. Check the dated transport and property sources below for your travel dates.
2 NIGHTS · 3 DAYS
Schedule to follow
Arrive in Kobe following the harbor lights
Kobe's harbour after dark, with time reserved for a waterfront walk.
- 0110:30–11:30 Arrival at Kansai Airport · Immigration and baggage pickup
- 02Airport Limousine Bus → Kobe Sannomiya · Approx. 65–75 minutes · One way ¥2,200
- 0314:00 Check-in or leave luggage at Sannomiya hotel
- 04JR or Hanshin Line Sannomiya → Motomachi 1st stop, walk to Nankinmachi
- 0514:40 Loshoki · Late snack with steamed pork buns
- 0615:30 Walk in the following order: Nankinmachi → Meriken Park → BE KOBE → Harborland
- 0717:30 Enjoy the sunset and Ferris wheel night view in front of MOSAIC
- 0819:00 Return to Sannomiya · Moriya Main Store reservation dinner
- 0921:00 1 night at Sannomiya hotel
After overlooking the sea, go to the hot spring village
Nunobiki Herb Gardens, a hillside stop before continuing to Arima.
- 0107:00 Breakfast at hotel 08:20 Check out and store luggage at Sannomiya Station
- 02Municipal subway Sannomiya → Shin-Kobe · Approximately 2 minutes
- 0309:20 Arrival at Nunobiki ropeway lower station · 09:30 First operation target
- 0409:40 Herb Gardens Top Station · Walk around the observatory and herb garden
- 0510:40 Walk downhill to the middle station of Windy Hill and descend the ropeway
- 0611:40 Move to Freundlieb main branch · Sandwich lunch at the old church cafe
- 0713:10 Return to Sannomiya and collect luggage
- 08Around 14:00 Shinki Bus → Arima Onsen · Approximately 25 minutes · One way ¥600
- 0914:40 Check-in at ryokan, store luggage → Walk around Taikobashi, Yumotozaka, and Tenjin Sengen
- 1017:00 Return to ryokan, after hot springs, kaiseki dinner around 18:00
End your trip at the golden hot springs
A red bridge and autumn foliage in Arima Onsen. Leaf colour changes with the season.
- 0107:30–08:30 Ryokan breakfast and meal times are confirmed at check-in
- 0209:00 Early walk to Onsenji, Tansansen Park, and Yumotozaka
- 03Kin no Yu and Gin no Yu baths overlap with the ryokan hot springs, so choose foot baths or just the exterior baths.
- 0410:30 Check-out · Leave suitcases at the ryokan or station locker.
- 0510:45 Wait at Kutsurogiya → 11:00 Kamameshi lunch
- 06Around 12:30 Arima Onsen → Sannomiya direct bus
- 07Around 14:00 Sannomiya → Kansai Airport Limousine Bus · Approximately 65–75 minutes
- 08Arrive at the airport 2 hours and 30 minutes before international departure
- 09Flights before 18:00 depart Arima around 09:30, excluding Kamameshi.
EAT ALONG THE ROUTE
From steamed buns to Kobe beef,
Four meals that don't break the road.
Operating hours and prices are confirmed as of September 2026. Roshoki and Gutsrogya sell out quickly, and Frundriv is closed on Wednesdays. DAY 3 If your flight is early, prioritize the airport bus over the restaurant.
DAY 1 · Snack
Roshoki
- Getting there
- Approximately 5 minutes walk from JR/Hanshin Motomachi Station/Nankinmachi Central Square
- menu
- Original Butaman · Small Pork Steamed Bun Bundle Sale
- budget
- Approximately ¥600 per pack of 5 · Check on-site price
- Opening hours
- Latest Information Daily 10:00–18:30 · Closes when sold out · Closed irregularly
If you eat a lot for a late lunch, Kobe beef for dinner is a burden. You can only share one pack between two people, and on weekends, the line can be close to an hour, so buy it before walking around Nankinmachi.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 1 · Dinner
Moriya Main Store
- Getting there
- Approximately 5 minutes on foot from the West Exit of Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya Station After returning to Sannomiya from the port
- menu
- Kobe Beef Round/Rump Steak, A5 Ribeye/Sirloin Course
- budget
- Kobe beef set approx. ¥6,940–23,000+
- Opening hours
- Daily 11:00–22:00 · Last order 21:00
Even the same Kobe beef costs three times more depending on the cut and grade. To reduce the burden, choose the 120g round set, or if you want the A5 top grade, check the menu prices and make a reservation online.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 2 · Lunch
Cafe Freundlieb, main store
- Getting there
- Approximately 12–15 minutes walk from Nunobiki Ropeway Habu Station towards Sannomiya
- menu
- Club sandwich, roast beef sandwich, cake and coffee
- budget
- Approximately ¥1,500–3,000 per person
- Opening hours
- Bakery 10:00–18:00 · Cafe 10:00–17:00, last order 16:30 · Closed on Wednesdays
This cafe is located in an old church building, so it’s a place where food and space come together. Weekday lunch sets are available from 11:30–14:00, and on weekends, order from the regular sandwich menu.
Check the latest information ↗
DAY 3 · Lunch
Kamameshi Kutsurogiya
- Getting there
- Approximately 2-5 minutes on foot from Yumotozaka/Onsenji, before the return bus
- menu
- Sea bream, wild vegetables, and seafood kamameshi, steamed Kobe beef yukemuri
- budget
- Approximately ¥2,000–4,000 per person · Prepare cash
- Opening hours
- Monday, Thursday – Sunday Lunch from 11:00 · Dinner from 17:00 · Ends when sold out · Closed on Tuesday and Wednesday
It takes more than 20 minutes to cook the rice first, and there’s also a wait to get in. If you stand in line at 10:45 and don't finish your meal by 12:15, switch to a packaged snack to save some time on the airport bus.
Check the latest information ↗CHECK-IN RULE
Arima is more than tourism
Check-in comes first.
The Shinki Bus from Sannomiya to Arima Onsen takes about 25 minutes and costs ¥600 one way, but there are not many trips per day. Around 2pm, check for the bus first, leave your luggage at the ryokan, and then walk down Yumotozaka. If you miss the bus, use the subway and Kobe train as an alternative, transferring twice for about 30 minutes.
Dinner at ryokans usually starts before 18:00. Late arrivals may not provide meals or refunds, so it’s safe to return to the accommodation after visiting the hot springs and walking by 17:00.
BLUE HOUR
The sun sets in the port
From an hour ago.
Even if you walk slowly, it takes about 30 minutes from Meriken Park to Harborland. An hour before sunset, see the Kobe Port Earthquake Memorial Park, which records the damage and restoration from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, and as the sun sets, admire the reflection of the Port Tower and the Maritime Museum. Please return to Sannomiya at least 40 minutes before your Moriya reservation time.
WHERE TO STAY
Two hot spring ryokans,
Two city hotels
Which stay suits your trip?
DAY 1 is Rem Plus for ease of transportation and views, and Royal Park Canvas for access to Motomachi and lounge atmosphere. For DAY 2, Arima Grand is better for the large bath facilities and view, and Tocen Goshoboh is better for the history and central location of the hot spring town. Choose one city hotel and one Arima ryokan.
Arima Grand Hotel
Free transfer when you arrive at Arima Onsen Station/Bus Stop by phone request
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥60,000–140,000+ / 1 night, 2 meals included
- breakfast
- Over 100 types of Japanese and Western buffet or some in-room meal plans
- Dinner
- Kaiseki, dining, room meals, etc. vary by plan · Check-in before 16:00 recommended
- parking
- Free parking for guests
- Advantages
- With a hilltop view, Geumcheon, Euncheon, and a rooftop large bath, the hot spring facility itself becomes a travel destination.
- Cons
- Because it’s a large hotel, the dining room and large bath can be crowded, and the steep slope to the village center means there’s a high dependency on transportation.
Tocen Goshoboh
Approximately 2 minutes walk from Arima Onsen bus stop. Free shuttle from the station upon request.
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥75,000–150,000+ / 1 night, 2 meals included
- breakfast
- 08:00–09:00 Traditional Japanese breakfast · Check plan
- Dinner
- Sangyori Kaiseki · Dinner separate plan requires advance reservation
- parking
- Free parking for hotel guests · Check vehicle size and location in advance
- Advantages
- The historicity of the hot spring village is strongest due to the wooden buildings dating back to the 12th century, the deep gold stream, and the central location of Yumotozaka.
- Cons
- Due to the nature of the wooden building, the stairs, soundproofing, and bathroom structure are more inconvenient than those of modern hotels, and the facilities in each room differ greatly.
remm plus Kobe Sannomiya
Directly connected to Hankyu Kobe Sannomiya Station, airport, Arima bus and evening route priority
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥12,000–28,000 / 1 night
- breakfast
- 29th floor Kobe Nozomiyama 07:00–10:30 · Japanese/Western buffet approx. ¥2,200
- Dinner
- Same restaurant 17:00–23:00 · Separate order, last order 22:00
- parking
- No private parking available at the hotel · Use nearby paid parking lot
- Advantages
- Direct access to the station, check-in at 14:00, check-out at 12:00, massage chair in the room and view from upper floors are practical for busy schedules.
- Cons
- The basic rooms are small and some have only rain showers without bathtubs, so check before choosing a room.
The Royal Park Canvas Kobe Sannomiya
Approximately 2 minutes' walk from the West Exit of Sannomiya Station on the municipal subway, between Ikuta Shrine and Motomachi.
- price
- 2 people per room approx. ¥10,000–25,000 / 1 night
- breakfast
- 06:30–10:00 Buffet · Adult approx. ¥2,300 · Check included plans
- Dinner
- Canvas Lounge single item, bar operation, no full course dinner
- parking
- No private parking available at the hotel · Use nearby paid parking lot
- Advantages
- Opened in 2021, modern rooms, free coffee lounge, and 24-hour fitness are well-balanced for the price.
- Cons
- In JR Sannomiya, it’s a walk further than the subway exit and some rooms only have shower booths and are small in size.
Rate criteria · Approximate range of 2 people per room per night searchable in September 2026. For ryokans, breakfast and dinner and room baths vary greatly, and for hotels, depending on the day, breakfast, and cancellation conditions. Double-check whether taxes and meals are included on the reservation screen.
BUDGET GUIDE
Estimated cost per person
This is the cost per person for a two-person trip and excludes flights and shopping. Breakfast and dinner at Arima Ryokan are included in the accommodation fee, and the cost of food varies greatly depending on the cut of Kobe beef you choose at Moriya.
GOOD
Advantages of this schedule
- Connects ports, mountains, and hot springs in a short trip within 3 days and 2 nights
- Kobe is a downhill walk, and Arima is a direct bus to minimize transfer burden.
- Combine a city hotel with a hot-spring ryokan for two different overnight experiences.
CHECK
Things to know
- Nunobiki Ropeway is closed during strong winds, lightning, and regular inspections.
- Due to the limited number of direct Arima buses, you must confirm the departure time.
- On Wednesdays, Freundrieve and Kutsrogya are closed on the same day.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Check again before departure.
Kansai Airport Limousine Bus · Kobe Timetable · Fares ↗Kobe Tourism Agency · Kitano · Nankinmachi · Port Official Course ↗Nunobiki Herb Garden · Ropeway operation/fee/inspection ↗Shinki Bus · Sannomiya – Arima Hot Springs Time/Fee ↗Arima Hot Springs Tourism Association · Transportation Information ↗Arima Grand Hotel · Pick-up, parking, check-in ↗REM Plus · Breakfast · Restaurant operating hours ↗Royal Park Canvas · Rooms · Facilities ↗PHOTO CREDITS · Port of Kobe at dusk: MyRealTrip introductory image ·Nunobiki Herb Garden: Facility introduction image · Arima Maple: GOOD LUCK TRIP· Meriken Park night view: kosei-photo-gallery · Food and room images are images from the official gallery or introduction/review page of each store/accommodation and have been resized for editing.
English edition of our Korean guide. Times and prices retain the source review date; they are not live booking quotes. Check eligibility for visitor fares and plan international flights separately.